Blog #12 Meg Swansen on cabling without a needle

Thursday, September 7, 2017

A Few Notes on Cables

Since Right and Wrong are subjective in handknitting, I have accumulated my own personal set of “rules” to see if I can avoid my less-than-favorite knitting activities. One example is the challenge to see how wide a cable I can execute without having to scrounge about for help from a ‘cable needle’ (almost anything will substitute: a d.p. needle, another circular, or even a smooth stick). I can usually manage 3 over 3, and often 4 sts over 4, but for any number greater than that, I seek, and am grateful for, an assist.

The smallest possible cable you can make is a Travelling Stitch, which utilizes only two stitches; one crossing over the other, either to the L or to the R.

Please take a look at our short video to see that an additional tool is not aways necessary for relatively narrow cables (I demo 2 over 2 and 3 over 3).

What a blessing it is that cable (and lace) patterns are now shown in chart form. The current (widely used) charted-cable format was originated by Barbara G. Walker back in the early 1970s, and enables you to see the design and the direction of the cable crosses at a glance.

Preceding the cable chapter, Barbara presents drawings of 80 different cable possibilities. The copy of page 61 (above) shows four different cables, plus four variations for each one. (Nearly always, cables are utilized with a few purl stitches on each side to set them off.)

To further explain, here is an example of a cable from Charted Knitting Designs: Barbara’s “Cross-Banded Cable”.

The lines are numbered to be read for flat (back and forth) knitting. If you prefer to knit in the round, read each chart line from the right-hand-side as follows:

1. p2, k6, p2

2. p2, 3-over-3 front cross, p2

3 & 4. Repeat row 1.

5 & 6. p2, k1, p4, k1, p2

7 & 8. Repeat row 1.

Now return to row 1.

You may choose to eliminate the 4 purl stitches in the middle of the cable (on rows 5&6), to have 7 rounds of plain, soothing knit between the exciting cable-rounds.

If you are new to cables, I hope that you dive in and expand your knowledge and skill. Knit a swatch; or better yet, a circular hat. Start with simple traveling stitches, then expand to 2 over 2, then 3 over 3 cables, and work your way up to some of Barbara’s exotic patterns from Charted Knitting Designs. Cables are very satisfying to produce, and dramatic to behold. You very soon will find that they are not nearly as difficult as they may appear.

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Post Comments

RKR

Happy to hear Meg count the 2nd demo of 3 over 3 sts; in the first crossing demo she knit the middle 2sts (of 6) tog.

Athena

posted on Saturday, September 9, 2017 10:59:40 AM America/Chicago

A Saturday morning Moment with Meg! Perfect!

Nancy Penney

posted on Friday, September 8, 2017 10:35:48 PM America/Chicago

So nice to see you and hear your voice. It's been a long time for me.

Connie Vinci

posted on Friday, September 8, 2017 5:03:00 PM America/Chicago

I always enjoy your videos! Thank you for sharing your wisdom and humor with us.

Mike Smith

posted on Friday, September 8, 2017 3:05:34 PM America/Chicago

Several years ago I helped a young knitter brave her first cable project. She was sure she couldn't do it. Once she observed how it was done, all she could do was say "that's it?" I've been under the impression that "free-style cabling" was dangerous and surely a road to dropped stitches. But reassigning the order of the stitches and then just knitting them off: why couldn't I visualize that? Thank you, Meg, for this elegant solution that puts my cabling anxieties to rest.

MachelleH

posted on Friday, September 8, 2017 1:44:49 PM America/Chicago

Thank you Meg! I could listen to you talk and watch you knit for hours and hours.

Sarah

posted on Friday, September 8, 2017 12:10:50 PM America/Chicago

Such a delight- thank you Meg. I knitted your shawl collared vest out of handspun and did this method of cabling, and (if I say so myself) it is wonderful.

LadyShopsalot

posted on Friday, September 8, 2017 11:35:26 AM America/Chicago

I love your videos so much. I am doing a two over two cable sock pattern now, super easy, but I'm using a cable needle. I will try your suggestions. Your guest star is gorgeous!

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SCHOOLHOUSE PRESS BLOG

Meg Swansen shares her wealth of knitting knowledge in a new blog. Read Meg's blog. The latest blog includes a video demonstrating Emily Ocker's Cast On for a circular shawl and a Pi Shawl Parade by knitters who attend our Knitting Camp.

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